This post offers a critical review of the TRC Call to Action #62, developed as part of my final MEd project in EDUC 5041: Diversity – Constructing Social Realities. I will argue that despite efforts to meet the objectives, significant gaps remain in its implementation. This analysis will begin by explaining the purpose of Call to Action #62, followed by an evaluation of its progress and barriers. An evaluation of the ethical obligations for practitioners and educators will follow, along with some resources and practical tips to help advance reconciliation and this call to action in social work and educational settings.
This image depicts the forced cutting of an Indigenous girl’s hair, symbolizing the cultural erasure faced in residential schools. This powerful visual aligns with the themes of Call to Action #62.
What is Call to Action #62?
Call to Action #62 urges governments to mandate Indigenous education—including residential schools, Treaties, and contributions—in K -12 curricula. It also calls for funding to train teachers in Indigenous knowledge, support Indigenous-led schools, and create high-level government roles to oversee these changes. The goal is to center Indigenous voices and ensure reconciliation is woven into Canada’s education system (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015). [Click For the full TRC #62].
Personal Perspective
Hello, I’m Gina, a 4th-generation Canadian, though much of my family’s history remains a bit of a mystery to me. Through DNA testing and conversations with relatives, I have pieced together that my ancestors migrated here from England, Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of Northwestern Europe through the USA to Canada.
The perspective I bring to this space is shaped by my academic background—a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Education—and by my experience as both a practitioner and a parent. I am deeply committed to the ongoing process of learning, unlearning, and sharing those lessons with others.
Understanding my own place in Canada’s colonial history deepens my responsibility to engage with reconciliation efforts, both as an educator and a parent.
Progress
According to Indigenous Watchdog, Call to Action #62 is currently Stalled
Call to Action 62 has seen partial progress, with most provinces introducing Indigenous curriculum in K-12 schools and funding teacher training. However, setbacks in Ontario (removing mandatory content) and Alberta (proposing regressive changes) highlight inconsistencies. While some Indigenous schools benefit from funding agreements, support remains uneven, and senior government roles for Indigenous education are lacking. Public polls show 70% of Canadians believe that residential school education is downplayed, signaling ongoing gaps in reconciliation efforts. (Indigenous Watch Dog, n.d.). [Read full text by clicking here].
Barriers to Reconciliation
How do systems of power and privilege impact the Calls to Action?
The Calls to Action that I wrote about, #62 and #92 are currently stalled. Indigenous peoples have been fighting for the rights that they are entitled to and when they are granted the right to their rights, often they are not followed through. A recent movie, Sugarcane, shares a true story that shows the impact that the residential schools have on Indigenous families and highlights the challenges that power and privilege play in their lives. “The Sugarcane impact campaign will spark conversation and promote education around Canadian residential schools and U.S. Indian boarding schools, and the intergenerational harm this system of forced assimilation and genocide left in its wake” (n.d., para. 1). The systems that caused the harm are the same systems that have stalled the Calls to Action. The positive light is that if you are reading this post, you can take steps to advance reconciliation and further the Calls to Action.
How do the TRC Calls to Action implicate educational leaders and practitioners?
- Educators are responsible to learn about the history of colonization that was not taught or talked about until recently. Wab Kinew explains 500 years of history in 2 minutes. This post doesn’t cover the depth required for full understanding, but it gives an incredible brief history that informs the understanding of the impacts upon this Call to Action.
Political
“Hundreds of distinct First Nations governed themselves for thousands of years before European settlers arrived in what is now Canada” (Elections Canada, n.d., para. 3). There is more to understand that this short post can share. Still, it is important to know that “First Nations people acquired the unconditional right to vote only in 1960, and Inuit gained this right in 1950 but were effectively denied ballot access until 1962…” (Elections Canada, n.d., para. 7).
The number of voting members that have moved to Canada far exceeds the number of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. The largest population in Canada reported from the 2011 census according to Stastics Canada “…English, reported by 6,509,500 people; French (5,065,700); Scottish (4,715,000); Irish (4,544,900); and German (3,203,300)” (n.d., para. 56). This is compared to “Just over 1,369,100 people reported having First Nations (North American Indian) ancestry, while 447,700 reported Métis and 72,600 reported Inuit” (Statistics Canada, n.d, para. 58). These statistics underscore how Indigenous populations have been historically and systematically marginalized within Canada’s political landscape.
Apology
As a Registered Social Worker (RSW) working in British Columbia, I am aware of the harms that have been caused; through residential schools and the 60’s scoop to name 2. The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) “…hopes that by publicly acknowledging, with humility, past and ongoing wrongdoings will begin an honest and transparent dialogue as we continue on the path of reconciliation” (2019, para. 3). [Read the full apology here]. No matter how much work is done to repair our relationship, it can and will negatively impact the way the many Indigenous clients view working with me.
Practitioners’ Ethics and Responsibilities
Registered Social Workers in British Columbia are required to complete continuing professional development each year as mandated by the British Columbia College of Social Workers, including:
(a) 31 hours of continuing professional development activities;
(b) 3 hours of continuing professional development activities related to ethical conduct and ethical decision making;
(c) 3 hours of continuing professional development activities related to cultural safety, cultural humility and anti-discriminatory practice; and
(d) 3 hours of continuing professional development activities related to Indigenous specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous specific racism and discrimination. (n.d., para. 4).
Educators’ Union and Provincial Mandate
It is precisely because education was the primary tool of oppression of Aboriginal people, and miseducation of all Canadians, that we have concluded that education holds the key to reconciliation. Justice Murray Sinclair – Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
There does not seem to be a mandated requirement for teachers/educators to take Indigenous focused professional development at the time of this writing but Learning Bird asserts that “Teachers have a crucial role in influencing the lives and futures of their students. In Canada, there’s a growing emphasis on Indigenous education, making it a popular subject for professional development (PD)” (Arseneau-Danielis, 2024, para. 1). There are conferences and workshops that offer teachings from Elders and educators such as Learning Bird.
Reconciliation Educator Tips
Educate yourself on the history of colonization to fully understand how indifference towards reconciliation formed over time (Indigenous Corporate Training, 2019)
This can prevent becoming overwhelmed, further “Build a framework of understanding of what reconciliation is and what it is not so that you can identify opportunities that work for you (Indigenous Corporate Training, 2019, para. ).
“Reconciliation is not about blame. Reaching someone who has resistance to reconciliation is not going to be achieved via guilt, shame, or aggressive anger” (Indigenous Corporate Training, 2019, para. 19).
Practical Ideas and Sources for Educators
*Attend local Indigenous cultural events:
If you are not Indigenous, respect cultural protocols by ensuring you are either invited to attend or the event is clearly open to the public.
*Follow Indigenous voices and educators on social media.
*Incorporate Indigenous-authored books and lessons in classroom libraries.
*Participate in Professional Education
Some recommendations
- Aboriginal Education by BCTF. https://bctf.ca/topics/services-information/aboriginal-education#teaching-resources
- Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada
- Reconciliation Education https://www.reconciliationeducation.ca/en-ca/
- First Nations Steering Committee. https://www.fnesc.ca/
- Legacy of Hope Foundation. https://legacyofhope.ca/
What is Next
In my ongoing commitment to reconciliation, I will continue to pursue professional development courses to deepen my understanding of how to advance the Calls to Action in British Columbia. I actively seek out books by Indigenous authors and follow Indigenous influencers on social media to broaden my perspective. I am grateful that the CASW mandates ongoing Indigenous education for social workers, and I recommend that other professional bodies adopt similar requirements. Furthermore, I urge the government to strengthen policies that mandate progress on all of the Calls to Action. Thank you for engaging with this post; I hope it has provided insights and practical suggestions to integrate reconciliation efforts into both your professional practice and personal life.
Thank you for engaging with this post; I hope it has provided insights and practical suggestions to integrate reconciliation efforts into both your professional practice and personal life. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out @ johnsong191 at TRU dot ca.
Sources in APA 7 Style
Arseneau-Danielis, H. (2024, Dec. 02). Professional development in Indigenous education for teachers. Accessed on April 02, 2025 at https://learningbird.com/professional-development-in-indigenous-education-for-teachers/#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20growing%20recognition,together%20with%20respect%20and%20understanding.
Bauer, M. (2016, Jan. 07). [Video]. 8th Fire Wab Kinew 500 years in 2 minutes. (YouTube). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7LY-fXzhZI
British Columbia College of Social Workers. (n.d). Registrants. Accessed on April 02, 2025 at https://bccsw.ca/registrants/continuing-professional-development-cpd/
BCTF. Aboriginal Education. Accessed on April 4, 2025 at https://bctf.ca/topics/services-information/aboriginal-education#teaching-resources
Canadian Association of Social Workers. (2019). Statement of apology
and commitment to reconciliation. Accessed on April 02, 2025 at https://www.casw-acts.ca/files/attachements/Statement_of_Apology_and_Reconciliation_FINAL_2021.pdf
Elections Canada. (n.d.). Introduction –Candidate diversity and racialized and Indigenous political engagement in Canada. https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rec/part/acad/cadi&document=p2&lang=e
Elections Canada. (n.d.). Voting rites through time. Accessed on March 31, 2025 at https://electionsanddemocracy.ca/voting-rights-through-time-0/first-nations-and-right-vote-case-study
Indigenous Corporate Training. (2019, May 27). Four common barriers to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/four-common-barriers-to-reconciliation-with-indigenous-peoples
Indigenous Watch Dog. (n.d.). Call to action #62. Accessed on March 24, 2025 at https://www.indigenouswatchdog.org/cta/call-to-action-62/
MacKenzie, C. (2016, Sep. 07). Book review: “I am not a number’ creates teachable moments. (Anishinabek News). Accessed on March 24, 2025. https://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/09/07/book-review-i-am-not-a-number-creates-teachable-moments/
NoiseCat, B., & Kassie, E. (Directors). (2024). Sugarcane [Film]. Notice Pictures; The New Yorker Studios. https://sugarcanefilm.com/
Reconciliation Education. Reconciliation Education. (n.d.). Accessed on April 04, 2025 at https://www.reconciliationeducation.ca/en-ca/
Statistics Canada. (n.d). Immigration and ethnocultural diversity in Canada. Accessed on March 30, 2025 at https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-010x/99-010-x2011001-eng.cfm#a1